Ten Men is an integral part of the RICADV's statewide plan to prevent intimate partner violence in Rhode Island. By engaging RI men as community leaders to become more knowledgeable, visible, and mobilized, we aim to change the harmful gender norms that perpetuate men’s violence against women and girls. #TenMenRIRead More

Our current public awareness campaign "Get Off the Bench!" features URI student athletes saying NO MORE to dating and domestic violence. Domestic violence impacts all of us, and will take all of us, together, to end it. How will you “get off the bench”? How will you play your part?Read More

Now more than ever, people are becoming aware of and outraged by the harmful impacts of domestic violence. With primary prevention, we can stop the violence before it happens in the first place, before people ever become victims or perpetrators of abuse. To learn more, check out this new resource created by the RICADV!Read More

Alex and Ani has partnered with the RICADV and the National Network To End Domestic Violence to launch the CHARITY BY DESIGN charm bangle “The Way Home.” When you purchase your bracelets through the RICADV, 50% of the proceeds go toward supporting our work to end domestic violence in RI. You can purchase bracelets in person at the RICADV’s office in Warwick Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Read More

At the RICADV, we proactively engage Latino communities and work to raise awareness about the help that is available through our member agencies. Each agency offers diverse programs and services that include safety planning, court advocacy, shelter, and support groups. Immigration help is also available. Access our website in Spanish by clicking the "Read More" button below or En Español at the top of this page.

Thanks to the newly established Domestic Violence Prevention Fund, which was signed into law earlier this year by Governor Gina M. Raimondo, the RICADV will be distributing $180,000 to support evidence-informed domestic violence primary prevention programs in Rhode Island.

“We are broadening the focus of our work to include domestic violence primary prevention, and investing in long-term strategies to change the social norms that condone domestic violence,” said Deborah DeBare, Executive Director at the RICADV. “Supporting both short and long-term initiatives will enable us to reach diverse communities and populations throughout Rhode Island.”

Bills aimed at reducing domestic violence

PROVIDENCE –– Following a year in which Rhode Island saw its highest number of domestic violence-related murders, four bills are being introduced into the state legislature this year to better protect victims and their children.

The bills, three of which have been submitted in previous years, include increased penalties for strangulation, disorderly conduct and Internet crimes such as cyberstalking.

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence hopes the package of bills, which it has made its top legislative priority this year, will send a strong message to repeat offenders. With 13 domestic violence-related deaths, 2010 was the state’s deadliest year on record for domestic violence, according to the coalition.

“If we are serious about ending domestic violence, then we have to be serious about stopping domestic violence. And that means putting in good tools for police and prosecutors for holding batterers accountable and we believe that these bills will give our justice system those tools,” said Zulma Garcia, the coalition’s policy director.

The first bill –– H5261 and S70 –– is aimed at disorderly conduct offenders and has already generated opposition from the American Civil Liberties Union. The proposal calls for stiffer penalties for repeat petty misdemeanor charges when they are charged under the state’s Domestic Violence Prevention Act.

State law currently calls for mandatory jail time of up to one year after two misdemeanor offenses; a third offense constitutes a felony with a mandatory prison sentence up to 10 years. The coalition-backed proposal would make petty misdemeanors subject to the same enhanced penalties if classified as a domestic violence crime.

Garcia says the proposal is targeted specifically at disorderly conduct, which is a petty misdemeanor that was the second-most-common domestic violence charge in 2010, with 2,077 charges, an increase of 13 percent from 2009, according to the coalition. (Disorderly conduct is considered a domestic violence crime when it is committed by a family or household member against another.)

But Steven Brown, executive director of the Rhode Island affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union, says applying the same tough standard to a petty misdemeanor is inappropriate.

“Petty misdemeanors are designated the least serious of all criminal offenses. Three of these minor offenses simply should not be treated the same as a major offense,” he said in written testimony submitted to the House Judiciary Committee last week.

A second bill –– H5087–– would make choking and strangling, even if it does not cause serious injury, a felony assault. (Strangulation is currently charged as a misdemeanor simple assault.) According to the coalition, a domestic violence victim who has been strangled is nine times more likely to be killed than one who has not.

A third bill –– H5264 –– is being introduced for the first time this year and would add cyberstalking and cyberharrassment to the 14 crimes that can be charged as domestic violence offenses under the state’s domestic violence law.

By including such internet-related crimes under the state’s Domestic Violence Prevention Act, victims can be afforded extra protections, including an automatic no-contact order against the offender, and penalty enhancement for repeat offenses, according to the coalition.

The final bill focuses on child custody and visitation rights for parents, establishing a protocol for state Family Court to use in divorces and separation where there is a history of domestic abuse or violence. That bill has yet to be introduced this year but was submitted last year.

pmarcelo@projo.com

Communications Center

Handbook for Journalists +

We work with the Rhode Island media to increase awareness about domestic violence, the services and resources available, and the ways the community can get involved. The press can help break the silence and educate the public. Visit the RICADV's "Online Guide for Journalists" for best practices on covering domestic violence.Read More

Public Awareness Campaigns +

Public awareness campaigns are one way we can keep the issue of domestic violence visible, provide information about community resources, and engage all Rhode Islanders as active bystanders.Read More

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Relationship abuse impacts young people, too. Visit our Teen Center to find resources and information for young people in RI.

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35 Years of Progress

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Your abuser may monitor your Internet use and may be able to view your computer activity.

To immediately leave our site and redirect to a different site, click on the box to the bottom-right of our website or hit the ESC (Escape) key on the upper-left of your keyboard.

If you feel that your computer is not secure, use a computer in another location that your abuser cannot access.

For more information and tips for staying safe online and on your devices, click "Read More" to visit the Privacy & Technology section of our website.

In 2014, the RICADV celebrated 35 years of progress in advocating for victims and holding abusers accountable.

On October 9, during Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we commemorated this milestone with special guest Lisa Leslie, WNBA legend, four-time Olympic gold medalist, and supporter of the national NO MORE campaign against domestic violence.

We thank everyone who has played a part in helping us move our work forward. Together we can end domestic violence.

Visit our 35th anniversary page to watch a special video, view photos of the event (coming soon!), and more.

AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support the RICADV every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at http://smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to the RICADV.

On your first visit to AmazonSmile, you need to select a charitable organization to receive donations from eligible purchases before you begin shopping. Choose the RI Coalition Against Domestic Violence to support us. Amazon will remember your selection, and then every eligible purchase you make on AmazonSmile will result in a donation.

About the RICADV

The Rhode Island Coalition Against Domestic Violence (RICADV) is an organization dedicated to ending domestic violence. Formed in 1979, the organization provides support to its member agencies, strives to create justice for victims, and provides leadership on the issue of domestic violence in Rhode Island.

Member Agencies

The RICADV's network of member agencies provide comprehensive services to victims, including emergency shelter, support groups, counseling, and assistance with the legal system. For more information about these organizations and services, call the statewide Helpline at 800-494-8100 or click here.